Flip-top beverage can sanitary cover

ABSTRACT

A sanitary, flexible cover ( 10 ) is wrapped around the top of a flip-top can ( 12 ). The cover ( 10 ) comprises a round disc ( 13 ), a concave rim ( 14 ) around the perimeter of the disc, and a flared skirt ( 15 ) extending from the concave rim. The cover is formed by molding or pressing. The cover is applied to the can by heat shrinking, gluing, or mechanically tight fitting. The top of the can is protected by the disc ( 13 ) and the shoulder of the can is protected by the skirt ( 15 ). The concave rim ( 14 ) is engaged around a lip ( 16 ) of the can to retain the cover, which can be easily removed prior to drinking. In addition, there may be a plurality of these covers ( 24 ) connected by links ( 25 ).

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

I claim the benefit of Philippines patent application number 000-1022.Filed: 24 Apr. 2000

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to flip-top beverage cans.

2. Prior Art

Flip-top beverage cans are typically stored or displayed for salewithout any packaging. Overtime contaminants accumulate on theirtops/ends and especially around the end's crevice. These contaminantsmix with the overflow of the beverage from the can and is washed intothe digestive system of a consumer who directly drinks from the can.Even when the beverages are poured into a glass, the contaminants on therim would still be washed into the glass.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the objects and advantages of the present sanitary andprotective cover are:

(a) to provide a sanitary cover that seals the head and neck of the can;

(b) to provide a protective cover for aluminum cans making use ofdifferent materials and combination thereof;

(c) to be easy and inexpensive to make and apply;

(d) to provide a sanitary cover that eliminates the direct contact ofthe lips and mouth of consumers to the unhealthy particles that resideon top of the can;

(e) to provide a cover material and combination of materials that iseasily flexible, malleable, teareable, adhesible and stackable;

(f) to provide a cover material that is printable;

(g) to provide a cover with a flared skirt to protect the shoulder ofthe can.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This present invention provides a solution to the health and hygieneproblem encountered by consumers when drinking direct from flip-topcans, by suggesting an article and a method of covering the surface,neck and down to the portion of the can that comes in direct contactwith the lips of the consumers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIGS. 1 & 1A is a perspective view of the present sanitary andprotective cover positioned over a conventional beverage can.

FIGS. 2& 2A is a perspective view of the pesent cover attached to thecan.

FIGS. 3 & 3A is a cutaway view of the present cover on the beverage can.

FIGS. 4 & 4A is a view of a flat sheet being formed onto the beveragecan.

FIGS. 5 & 5A is a perspective view of a flat sheet being pressed ontothe can.

FIGS. 6 & 6A are various ways of detachments.

FIG. 7 to 7F are preferred embodiments thereof.

FIG. 8 is a view of linked covers.

FIGS. 9 & 9A are views of print promotionals beneath the surface of thecover.

FIGS. 10 & 10 A are views of print promotionals on the top surface ofthe cover.

FIGS. 11 & 11A are other promotional embodiments thereof.

FIGS. 12 & 12A are also promotional embodiments thereof.

FIG. 13 is shows another function of the cover.

FIG. 14 is the first and original embodiment thereof.

FIGS. 15 & 15A are originall embodiments thereof.

FIGS. 16 & 16A are also original embodiments thereof.

FIGS. 17 & 17A are still original embodiments thereof.

FIG. 18 is an original view of a tab and a perforation on the cover.DRAWING REFERENCE NUMERALS 10. Cover 11. Top/Opening 12. Beverage Can13. Disc 14. Concave Rim 15. Flared Skirt 16. Convex Lip 17. Shoulder18. Transition 19. Vertical Wall 20. Flat Sheet 21. Flat Sheet 22. Press23. Cavity 24. Covers 25. Links 26. Print Promo 27. Beverage 28. Tab 29.Perforation

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-3 & 1A-3A:

A first embodiment of the present sanitary cover is shown in aperspective view in FIGS. 1 & 1A. It is comprised of a flexible cover 10for the top 11 of a conventional beverage can 12. Cover 10 is comprisedof a round disc 13, a concave rim 14 around the perimeter of a disc 13and a flared skirt 15 extending from concave rim 14. Rim 14 is convexwhen viewed from the inside of cover 10.

Cover 10 may be made out of a plastic material, such as polyethylene,polypropylene, nylon, paper, aluminum, and other present and futurematerials and combinations, etc. Cover 10 is applied on top of the canby virtue of combination technologies in molding, extrusion, capping,wrapping, punching, sealing and adhesion. In FIGS. 2 & 2A, cover 10 isapplied to the can 12.

In FIG. 3 concave rim 14 of cover 10 is snugly engaged around a convexlip 16 of can 12 to retain cover 10 in position. Flared skirt 15 isshaped to conform closely to a tapered shoulder 17 of can 12 and is longenough to extend at least down to a transition 18 between taperedshoulder 17 and a vertical wall 19 of can 12. Advertising may be printedon cover 10.

Accordingly, top 11 and shoulder 17 of can 12 are protected by cover 10from contaminants. Cover 10 can be easily peeled off from can 12.

FIGS. 4 & 4A:

As shown in FIG. 4, the cover 10 may also be made by molding a flatsheet 20 and heat shrink applied onto top 11 of can 12. Alternately,sheet 20 may be glued.

FIGS. 5 & 5A:

As shown in FIG. 5, another method for making the crown is comprised ofpressing a flat sheet 21 onto top 11 of can 12 with a press 22. A cavity23 in press 22 is shaped to conform to top 11 of can 12. Flat sheet 21may be made of any deformable material, such as paper, aluminum,plastic, etc. Flat sheet 21 may be retained on can 12 by friction,adhesion, meachanically tightening, etc.

FIGS. 6 & 6A:

As shown in FIG. 6, cover 10 is detached from can 12 by inserting fingerunder spaces provided in between the flared skirt 15 of cover 10. InFIG. 6A, cover 10 is shown as completely detached and separated from top11 of can 12

FIGS. 7 to 7F:

Cover 10 is shown on top 11 of can 12 in two variations. FIG. 7 is madeof modified aluminum, while FIG. 7A is made of modified plastic. FIG. 7Bshows a variation of a flared skirt 15 of cover 10 on can 12. FIG. 7Cshows another variation of a flared skirt 15 on top 11 of can 12. FIGS.7E and 7F shows another variation of a flared skirt 15 on top 11 of can12.

FIG. 8:

A plurality of covers 24 are connected together with integral links 25there between, and are prefferably made by molding. The plurality oflinked 25 covers 24 on top of multi-pack cans may be applied byheat-shrink wrapping, pressing, gluing and mechanically tight-fitting.

FIGS. 9 & 9A:

As shown in FIG. 9 is cover 10 with flared skirt 15 promoting 26 awinning. FIG. 9A illustrates linked 25 covers 24 wherein flared skirt 15as points of attachments. Cover 10 with flared skirt 15 is shown asprint promoting 26 various products.

FIGS. 10 & 10A:

FIG. 10 shows an exploded view of a print promo 26 on the surface ofcover 10 with the flared skirt 15 distinctly emphasized herewith. FIG.10A shows covers 24 linked 25 at points of flared skirt 15. Differentprint promos 26 are displayed.

FIGS. 11 & 11A:

In FIG. 11, a print promo 26 features cover 10 with the flared skirt 15being shown as a source of amusement. FIG. 11A shows another print promo26 wherein cover 10 with flared skirt 15 distinctly promoting 26 abeverage 27.

FIGS. 12 & 12 A:

Still another embodiment of a print promo 26 is shown, wherein a giantcan 12 with a giant cover 10 and giant flared skirt 15 ellicitingexcitement. FIG. 12A shows another print promo 26 wherein cover 10 withflared skirt 15 as being used to promote not only beverages but alsoservices.

FIG. 13:

The enclosing and extended features of the flared skirt 15 of cover 10finds use similar to ashtrays.

FIG. 14:

Is an original embodiment of cover 10 with flared skirt 15.

FIGS. 15 & 15 A:

In FIGS. 15 & 15 A, cover 10 is surrounded with flared skirt 15.

FIGS. 16 & 16 A:

FIG. 16 combined aluminum and plastic for cover 10 with flared skirt 15.

FIG. 17:

Shows original embodiment of cover 10 on top 11 of can 12.

FIG. 18:

Shows flared skirt 15 with tab 28 and perforation 29.

SUMMARY AND SCOPE

Accordingly, the present sanitary cover 10 protects the top 11 of aflip-top beverage can 12 from contaminants. The flared skirt 15 protectsthe shoulder 17 of the can 12 from contaminants. The cover 10 is easy toapply and detach from the can 12 and inexpensive to make. Cover 10 withflared skirt 15 also provides space for print promotionals 26.

Although the above description is specific, it should not be consideredas a limitation on the scope of the invention, but only as an example ofthe preffered embodiment. Many variations are possible with theteachings of the invention.

For example, different attachment methods, fasteners, materials,dimensions, contortions, etc. can be used and applied unlessspecifically indicated otherwise. The relative positions of the elementscan vary, and the shapes of the elements can vary. Therefore, the scopeof the invention should be determined by the appended claims and theirlegal equivalents, not by the examples given.

1. A sanitary and protective cover for flip-top cans.
 2. The cover ofclaim 1 wherein said surface becomes a vehicle for promotions andsurface becomes a vehicle for promotions and advertisements.
 3. Thecover of claim 1 wherein manner of production includes the combinationof the following conventional technologies: extrusion, (b) heating; (c)adhesion; (d) pressing; (e) cutting; (f) wrapping; (g) joining; (h)welding; (i) soldering; (j) perforating, and (k) printing.